The truth about a complex built for veterans and the middle class and how it has evolved through the years to become one of the more interesting and controversial of New York stories.

Comment Policy

All comments to posts have to await approval. Please be aware that, depending on when I'm logged onto the internet, it may take me hours, even longer, to moderate comments, so if they don't turn up in a speedy fashion, they are still in the queue. Comments that cross a line I'm not comfortable with will not get approved.

NOTE: Comments reflect the opinions of the person writing them and should not be assumed to reflect the opinion of the blog. Because of the anonymous nature of the commentary, specific agendas can be pushed by a sole individual and may not reflect a more popular belief by the residents of this community.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

PCVST Living Photosets

Looks very pretty! BTW, one thing that I've noticed with my own eyes, and not just in going through these photos, is that many of the amenity indoor events (such as those that take place in Oval Lounge) are attended by older residents and seniors, sometimes exclusively so.

Oh, and there's an "Oval Cafe" on the way, already rumored from the "refreshing" being done to Oval Lounge.

UPDATE: There's been some commentary about the carpeting that's shown, or not shown, in the official photos of PCVST. The rule in PCVST is that all apartment areas, excepting bathrooms and kitchens, must have a carpet covering of 80%. I checked the first photosets page and found only one photo that did not show a carpet. See first photo below. All other photos I checked randomly showed carpeting, usually more than ads from Tishman Speyer used to show.

25 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Because no self-respecting 18-29 demo would ever be caught dead in those “amenities”. Although, if you all remember, that's the demo the original TS drawings showed using these dumps. By the way, something was recently approved for the old “Super Dive” space. Woo Hoo!

If you notice, as in most of the pictures for the promotion of this dorm dump, none of the apartments are in compliance for the 80% carpet rule.

Rose Associates and CW Capital are NOT interested and put NO resources into enforcing their own rules, including the 80% floor covering rule. They're too busy putting time into marketing their 500+ social events! Most of their marketing photos show no or little floor covering and are an INSULT to tenants who care about the quiet enjoyment of their homes. No wonder it feels like the inmates are running the asylum. They are! If tenants do buy this property, the first order of business will be to show Adam Rose and his crappy management company, Rose Associates, the door! Can't wait for the day!

As I recall, there was a Reggae band concert (the TS era?) that was very well attended. I heard you could have got a contact high anywhere on the Oval. Too bad, I have been off the weed for some time now. Residents and their guests? NOT. Cough.

Anony 4.11 PM-This is “cough" again. You like Reggae? So do I . Then get off your ass, like me, and explore NYC for Reggae events instead of letting the Oval, a true tranquil gem of Manhattan, be destroyed.

I live near the Oval and it is not reasonable or fair that I am assaulted all summer long by the concerts, movies, whatever. I complain to Security and Management and maybe the volume on the loudspeakers gets turned down for that particular concert or activity, but what I don't understand is why the person who controls the volume on the loudspeakers hasn't learned NOT to raise the dial above a certain point EVER for any event because it's too loud for tenants living close by. And don't tell me it's because too many different people control the sound level. It's up to Management to make sure that EVERYONE knows how high they can raise the volume. Put a BIG sign on the control panel that everyone sees. That'll do it. Management, it's time that you get your act together around this important quality of life issue.

I think it was the last “concert” from last year, some washed up country/southern rock band (?), the lead singer was screaming at the top of his lungs into the microphone, “Come on Stuyvesant Town, let me hear ya!”. Facing the Oval, there was no escape from this idiot. Pathetic. When the “concert" schedule comes out, I guess my wife will just have to leave our apartment for each “concert” to escape the BS and then scurry back when it over. It’s always good idea on weekends to get out of one's apartment to explore NYC but why is this not my choice, why are we forced to do this due to some inane marketing strategy, events that are always promoted via outside venues (college radio stations, blogs, etc.) to non-residents and admit non-residents even when CW Capital specs out in their internal announcements as open only to the infamous "Residents and their guests”. But as the STR has reported, they are probably just going to drop that charade for this year as well.

This morning , I went for a run along the East River park. After my shower, went out, did various chores, now home with my wife, the usual nice sounds of kids having fun at playground 12 drifting in, listening to 89.9, the Columbia college radios station. They have a Civil War song show going on. Wonderful. I’ll guess I will have to kiss this all goodbye fairly shorty.

Hall of Shame Award to CWCapital from Stuy Town And Peter Cooper Village Tenants

Awarded for the Roberts Settlement Massacre, in which many tenants received mid-lease rent increases from hundreds to over a thousand dollars, compelling tenants to examine the need to move out with their families at short notice. Doubly awarded for the Oval Park Massacre, in which healthy trees were cut down and plantings viciously uprooted to make way for an institutionalized look of order.

Thinking of Renting in PCVST?

Read Yelp reviews to find out what it's like living here. Please note: As of May 16, there is a suspicius intrusion of what appear to be positive reviews appearing on the PCVST Yelp page that are sourced from a "rewards program" set up by the landlord.

The Other Yelp Reviews

Yelp can be tricky and bounce reviews for a variety of reasons, like being a member and posting just one review. Very often, however, these reviews hold important truths about what's being reviewed. READ THESE TOO.

Banned Dog Breeds in Stuy Town

Cute rottweiler. But... looks like there is some difficulty in enforcing the ban on certain dog breeds allowed inside Stuy Town/Peter Cooper Village. Somehow pitbulls and pitbull mixes have been registered in STPCV and are allowed to be freely walked about the grounds! Another fail of enforcing the rules around here? You decide!

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Stuyvesant Town Newsreel

Read it and Weep

Current Value of ST/PCV

Was 5.4 Billion Dollars when Tishman Speyer bought the place.Became 1.7 Billion Dollars when Tishman Speyer left, with their tail between their legs.Current estimate? Over 2 Billion?

Ex-landlord

Rob Speyer

1947 Stuy Town Plaque Honoring Met Life Chairman F.H. Ecker (Removed in 2002 and never seen again)

"... who with the vision of experience and the energy of youth conceived and brought into being this project, and others like it, that families of moderate means might live in health, comfort and dignity in park-like communities and that a pattern might be set of private enterprise productively devoted to public service."

Co-op/Condo Conversions

Non-Eviction Conversion:
Requires commitment from purchasers for 15% of the apartments. Both rent regulated and market rate tenants are given the opportunity to purchase. Rent regulated tenants cannot be evicted because they choose not to buy. However, the owner is not required to offer a lease renewal to market-rate tenants.
Eviction Conversion:
Requires written commitment from 51% of the tenants in occupancy. All tenants are given the opportunity to purchase. Those who choose not to can be evicted. For rent stabilized tenants who choose not to purchase, they can be evicted within 3 years after the plan is declared effective. However, rent stabilized tenants who are disabled or senior citizens are exempt from eviction. Market rate tenants can be evicted at the end of their lease. Less likely conversion tactic. [The TA insists that any plan they support will be non-eviction.]

I am writing on behalf of everyone at Tishman Speyer to express how honored we are to become part of your outstanding community. We are a business with deep roots in New York, a true love of our city and a great respect for the neighborhoods that make it special. We are committed to maintaining the unique character and environment that have made Peter Cooper Village and Stuyvesant Town such a wonderful place to live for so long. We look forward to providing you an extraordinary level of service and attentiveness that will be the source of pride and satisfaction for the entire community.

Neighborhood Recommendations

New to Stuy Town/Peter Cooper Village? Here are some basic recommendations.

Best supermarket: Associated on 14th St. between 1st Ave. and Ave A. The cheapest prices, fantastic weekly sales, very affordable lunches; solid, responsive management. Some of the young female cashiers have attitude to spare, though. May be too far for Peter Cooper residents.

Best deli: A Stuy Town favorite is Lenz's on 20 St. between the 20 St. Loop. The way New York used to be. Be careful of unwanted "pepper" in your food, however. Lenz's has a B grade rating and was temporarily closed down due to an order from the Health Department. Bruno's on First Avenue is more upscale, with a greater selection of food items (higher-priced, too), but was closed down by the Health Department in June.

Best post office: Forget it! The post office on 14th St. is generally a nightmare, with long lines and, now, even shorter hours.

Disappointments:

The Stuy Town Starbucks on First Ave. is not very cozy, and the music in the morning is too loud and uptempo. Gently awaken the souls off to work....

More recommendations to come!

Macular Degeneration Support Group

If you are currently diagnosed with Macular Degeneration, the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary is offering a support group for you. Conveniently located next to the Peter Cooper Village Stuyvesant Town apartment complex, our group offers the opportunity to share stories with other members, listen to expert guest speakers, and learn coping strategies to reduce stress. Our group runs on the first Wednesday of every month and we would enjoy seeing you there.
Please contact Baptiste Nicolas, Social Work Assistant at 212-979-4105 for further information and to see if this group is right for you!